Method for optimized management of a system of pipelines and a pipeline system realization in accordance with said method

Abstract

In order to achieve optimized management of a pipeline system for transporting gas, oil or other products, the flow rates and pressures at various system locations are determined and regulated in real time. The configurations of compressors and valves which make it possible to minimize operating costs are determined in real time by computers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for the management of a pipeline system including plural valves, piping connected therewith and with plural pumping locations at least selected pumping locations including groups of pumping means, said selected pumping locations operable in different conditions providing different flow rates, pressure differences and costs of operation, said method relying on real time determination of flow rates and pressures, comprising the steps of: (a) calculating a set of flow rates and pressure differences at each of various points in said pipeline system,   (b) determining the pumping locations to be employed so as to meet the flow rates and pressure differences calculated in said step (a),   (c) determining an optimum condition for operation of said selected pumping locations to achieve the selected flow rates and pressure differences relying on a minimum number of said pumping means,   (d) detecting in real time data representing flow rates and pressures in said pipeline system, and   (e) controlling said pumping means at said selected pumping locations in accordance with said data of step (d) and with the optimization of step (c), wherein:   (f) said step of determining an optimum condition includes optimizing by use of a generalized reduced gradient algorithm.   
     
     
       2. The method as recited in claim 1 which includes a step of testing feasibility of the pumping locations selected in said step (b) to meet the flow rate and pressure differences selected in said step (a) prior to executing said step (c), and, (g) in the event said feasibility testing indicates infeasibility repeating said method beginning at said step (a), or   (h) in the event said feasibility testing indicates feasibility then continuing execution of said method with execution of said step (c).   
     
     
       3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said optimum condition is such as to minimize pipeline operating costs by selecting specific connections between said pumping means at said selected pumping locations. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said optimum condition is such as to minimize pipeline operating costs by selecting specific operating speeds of said pumping means at said selected pumping locations. 
     
     
       5. A method for the management of a pipeline system including plural valves, piping connected therewith and with plural pumping locations at least selected pumping locations including groups of pumping means, said selected pumping locations operable in different conditions providing different flow rates, pressure differences and costs of operation, said method relying on real time determination of flow rates and pressures, comprising the steps of: (a) calculating a set of flow rates and pressure differences at each of various points in said pipeline system,   (b) determining the pumping locations to be employed so as to meet the flow rates and pressure differences calculated in said step (a),   (c) determining an optimum condition for operation of said selected pumping locations to achieve the selected flow rates and pressure differences relying on a minimum number of said pumping means,   (d) detecting in real time data representing flow rates and pressures in said pipeline system, and   (e) controlling said pumping means at said selected pumping locations in accordance with said data of step (d) and with the optimization of step (c), wherein:   (f) said step (c) determines an optimum condition for operation based on a pipeline system modeled using a steady state flow pattern.   
     
     
       6. A method for the management of a pipeline system including plural valves, piping connected therewith and with plural pumping locations at least selected pumping locations including groups of pumping means, said selected pumping locations operable in different conditions providing different flow rates, pressure differences and costs of operation, said method relying on real time determination of flow rates and pressures, comprising the steps of: (a) calculating a set of flow rates and pressure differences at each of various points in said pipeline system,   (b) determining the pumping locations to be employed so as to meet the flow rates and pressure differences calculated in said step (a),   (c) determining an optimum condition for operation of said selected pumping locations to achieve the selected flow rates and pressure differences relying on a minimum number of said pumping means,   (d) detecting in real time data representing flow rates and pressures in said pipeline system, and   (e) controlling said pumping means at said selected pumping locations in accordance with said data of step (d) and with the optimization of step (c), wherein:   (f) said step (c) determines an optimum condition for operation based on a pipeline system modeled using a transient flow pattern.